Gibney calls for clarity on future of Basic Income for Artists scheme

One of the Greens’ signature achievements from their most recent stint in government, a trial for Basic Income for Artists, has been made permanent.

Introduced by former Dublin Rathdown TD and arts Minister Catherine Martin in the last government, the scheme has been made permanent as part of this week’s Budget measures.

The scheme, which began on a trial basis in 2022, saw eligible artists receive a weekly payment of €325.

Fine Gael Minister Patrick O’Donovan said he would bring a “permanent” successor scheme to the government in early 2026 when the current scheme expires.

The Minister for the Arts said the scheme was “the envy of the world,” and said it is “a tremendous achievement for Ireland; it must be made futureproof and sustainable.”

Local Social Democrats TD Sineád Gibney has welcomed the extension of the scheme, but has some lingering questions about the future of the scheme.

Gibney noted there is ambiguity surrounding the exact detail outside of the initial press release, what timelines are involved, if artists with disabilities will be included in the scheme, and who, exactly, is eligible to avail of the scheme going forward.

The Dublin Rathdown TD noted that there will be a months-long gap between the end of the pilot scheme and the beginning of the permanent successor scheme being established – to Gibney, any lapse in funding would “undermine” the very artists who are availing of the scheme.

“They now face an end to their basic income, with a vague promise of being able to reapply next year – reassurance for their financial security was absent from the Minister’s contribution, who instead told them to ‘bear with me and toughen on for a while.”

Gibney also noted a stark decrease in funding for the scheme – the €18 million allocated this year is a major drop from the €35 million that was allocated during the pilot scheme.

The Soc Dems arts spokesperson said, “for artists with disabilities, there are additional barriers to accessing the basic income scheme – without a formalised income disregard for artists with disabilities, they face losing their medical cards, their disability allowance, and the supports which make it possible for them to live their lives and create art.

While noting that the scheme being made permanent was a positive step, it is “cold comfort” for artists who face a sudden cut in their basic income when the pilot scheme winds down in February.

“Our focus needs to be on how the successor scheme can be introduced as soon as possible, and expanded beyond the relatively small number of artists on the pilot – the point of Basic Income for the Arts is to bring certainty to a precarious sector, but Budget 2026 has left artists once again with the same uncertainty they have suffered for months,” she said.